Why There are False Religions and Heresies

If the things of the gospel be such, as that without a revelation from God they could not be known, then we see that there is no principle at all of the gospel in nature. There is not a spark of light, or any inclination to the gospel, that is found in nature. For God removes all the natural ways—eye, ear, and understanding—of knowing the gospel. The knowledge of it is only supernatural. For if God had not revealed it, who could ever have devised it? And when he revealed it, to disclose it by his Spirit, it is supernatural. Therefore, you may know the reason why so many heresies have sprung out of the gospel, more than out of the law. There are few or no heresies from the law because the principles of the law are written in the heart. Men naturally know that adultery, filthy living, etc., are sins. Men have not so quenched nature but that they know that those things are evil. There have been excellent lawmakers among the heathens. But the gospel is a 'mystery,’ discovered out of the breast of God, without all principles of nature. There are thousands of errors about the nature, the person, and the benefits of Christ; about justification and sanctification, and free will and grace, and such things. What worlds of heresies have proud minds continually started up! This would never have been but that the gospel is a thing above nature. Therefore, when a proud wit and supernatural knowledge revealed meet together, the proud heart storms and loves to struggle, and devises this thing and that thing to commend itself; and hereupon comes heresies, the mingling of natural wit with divine truths. If men had had passive wits to submit to divine truths, and to work nothing out of themselves, there had not been such heresies; but their hearts meeting with supernatural truths, their proud hearts mingling with it, they have devised these errors.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
A Glance of Heaven, Works, vol. 4, p. 156-59
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